Arm prosthetic device

Abstract

A system for powering a prosthetic arm is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in the prosthetic arm, at least one external battery connected to the prosthetic arm, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the prosthetic arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An index pivot system for use in a prosthetic hand, the index retention system comprising:
 an index base assembly; 
 an index member assembly having a pivot ground element rotatably disposed in the index member assembly; 
 a threaded pivot shaft insertably engaged with the pivot ground element and the index base assembly, thereby pivotably coupling the index member assembly to the index base assembly; and 
 a pivot retention assembly operatively engaged with the threaded pivot shaft, the index base assembly, and the pivot ground element such that the pivot retention assembly exerts axial tension on the threaded pivot shaft and radial compression on the pivot ground element, such that the pivot ground element cannot rotate relative to the index base assembly, and the threaded pivot shaft is axially retained in the index base assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The index pivot system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastening member engaged with the index base assembly and the pivot retention assembly such that the pivot retention assembly is retained in the index base assembly. 
     
     
       3. The index pivot system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one fastening member is a screw. 
     
     
       4. The index pivot system of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot retention assembly comprises:
 a retention base; and 
 a plurality of compression members configured to interface with the retention base and the index base assembly such that the compression members exert radial compression on the pivot ground element when the threaded pivot shaft is tightened. 
 
     
     
       5. The index pivot system of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded pivot shaft threads into the retention base such that rotating the threaded pivot shaft causes the compression members to exert radial compression on the pivot ground element. 
     
     
       6. The index pivot system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of compression members is wedge-shaped,
 wherein each wedge-shaped compression member is configured to interface with one of a plurality of convergent inclined surfaces of the index base assembly, 
 wherein the rotation of the threaded pivot shaft causes the retention base to urge the wedge-shaped compression members along the respective inclined surface, 
 wherein the convergent inclined surfaces urge the compression members towards the pivot ground element such that they exert radial compression on the pivot ground element. 
 
     
     
       7. The index pivot system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of compression members comprises two wedge-shaped compression members oriented substantially opposite from one another. 
     
     
       8. The index pivot system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bushing disposed between the pivot ground element and the index member assembly, such that the bushing facilitates rotational movement between the pivot ground element and the index member assembly.